Indigenous teenager storms to victory at Abeokuta 10KM Race, faults lack of support for Kenyan dominance in marathon

Abeokuta, Nigeria – In a startling turn of events at the 2023 Lotus Bank Abeokuta 10KM Race, 17-year-old Francis James emerged as the first Nigerian to cross the finish line on Saturday, September 9, 2023, giving himself a stage to call for more support to overcome Kenyan dominance in long-distance running.

James completed the gruelling race in just 31 minutes and 8 seconds, securing not only the title but also a substantial cash prize of N1,000,000.

In the fiercely competitive field, Stephen Joshua trailed closely, finishing just 22 seconds behind James and earning N750,000 for his remarkable effort.

The first edition’s indigenous winner, Emmanuel Gyang, came third in 32 minutes 7 second to win N500,000.

However, it was the revelation of young James that stirred admiration at the event, and the Plateau-born athlete did not shy away from addressing the media after his historic win.

When asked about his emotions on becoming the first Nigerian to cross the finish line, James expressed gratitude but did not mince words in highlighting the challenges faced by Nigerian athletes.

“It’s not easy. I feel tired, and I thank God for winning this race,” James said. “I will beat these Kenyans next time.”

“We are training harder than them, but it’s because we are not getting sponsors. No sponsors to support us, that is why these Kenyans keep winning. If Nigeria supports us in training, we will beat Kenyans.”

“Yes, I will defend my country in the future. This is my first time winning this race. The last time, I came seventh, but today I am first,” James asserted, leaving no doubt about his ambition to continue making strides in the world of long-distance running.